Welcome to the sixth installment of the 2024 spring season for the Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week voting by high school sports fans.

This week, and every week during the sports seasons, members of the public may vote for a top girls athlete and a top boys athlete.

Varsity Insider Athletes of the week: Winners for the 2023-24 school year

How do I cast my vote?

All voting is through the two ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media.

Voting began May 27, and continues through 11:59 p.m. Thursday.

How do we learn who wins?

The two winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday.

How can I nominate an athlete?

We accept nominations via email: sports@burlingtonfreepress.com (Subject Line: Athletes of the Week nomination).

Girls Athlete of the Week nominees

More on this week’s candidates:

Madison Beaudoin, U-32 track and field: The junior raced to first place in the 800-meter run with a personal-best time of 2:17:11 at the Essex Invitational, which serves as Vermont’s qualifying meet for the New England championships. Beaudoin was also on the victorious 4×400 relay squad for U-32.

Alayna Havreluk, Rice softball: After hurling a two-hit shutout with an earned run and nine strikeouts to beat Milton 12-1, Havreluk popped a grand slam for the momentum-swinging play in a 9-5 decision over the Yellowjackets.

Jazmyn Hurley, Middlebury track and field: The junior dropped a pair of PRs in sweeping the 200 (25.50) and 400 (58.12) at the Essex Invitational.

Bea Molson, Mount Mansfield tennis: The 2022 individual singles tate champion posted a trio of victories at No. 1 singles last week. The junior won a pro set vs. Essex, a three-set tiebreaker vs. South Burlington and a retire in the second set vs. Colchester.

Grace Thompson, Champlain Valley Ultimate: Thompson totaled three goals and five assists in a 15-5 win over South Burlington. Then in a 13-3 victory over Montpelier, Thompson tallied three goals and six assists.

Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

More on this week’s candidates:

Matt Chamberlain, Burlington baseball: After quieting St. Johnsbury bats with seven-hit shutout that included six Ks in a 1-0 victory Friday, Chamberlain played hero again the next day, with a two-run double in the 10th for a 6-4 win at Rice.

Adam Coburn, Colchester lacrosse: In a 2-1 week, Coburn was Colchester’s top scorer in both of the wins, collecting a goal and two assists in a 5-4 decision over Milton and recording a five-goal, one-assist game in a 16-4 victory over Spaulding.

Walker Forand, Mount Abraham/Vergennes lacrosse: The goalie came up with 10 saves, including a big stop in overtime, as Mount Abraham/Vergennes outlasted BFA-Fairfax 8-7 in two OTs.

Aidan Lybarger, South Burlington track and field: On his final throw, the senior broke the meet record in discus (173-10.25) for the first-place medal at the Essex Invitational. Lybarger also placed third in shot put with another PR of 49-10.5.

Andrew Thornton-Sherman, St. Johnsbury track and field: The junior shattered his own overall state record in the 800 (1:51.82) to win over an impressive field that included five other runners dipping below 2:00. Thornton-Sherman then capped his day on the winning 4×400 relay squad that also reset the state and meet marks (3:24.58).

This story may be updated. 

Former longtime state lawmaker Dick Mazza has died, Gov. Phil Scott’s office confirmed Sunday. He was 84.

Mazza, a Democrat, spent 42 years in the Statehouse, serving briefly in the House of Representatives before joining the Senate in 1985. He resigned in April, citing health reasons.

WCAXand NBC5 both reported Mazza died Saturday.

More from Vermont Public: ‘This is Dick Mazza’s chair’: After dean of the Senate resigns, colleagues reflect on a legacy

In his letter of resignation to Scott, Mazza said it had been “the privilege of a lifetime to represent Colchester and Grand Isle County in Montpelier.”

“Each of those days I considered it an honor that Vermonters have trusted me with their stories and had faith that I would act on their behalf, regardless of party affiliation or politics,” he said.

In a statement at that time, Scott said Mazza was regarded as “the conscience of the Senate.”

On Sunday, Scott said in a statement that Mazza left a mark on everyone he met.

“In a world that has become so politically divided and full of hate, Dick Mazza stood out like a shining star – an icon of decency, hope and humor,” the governor said. “His impact will be felt for generations to come, and he will be greatly missed.”

Mazza was known as an influential powerbroker, both from the seat of government in Montpelier and the office at Dick Mazza’s General Store in Colchester. He chaired the Senate Transportation Committee and was a longtime member of the Vermont Committee on Committees, a powerful three-person panel that sorts out committee assignments for the body.

VTDigger reported in February that Mazza had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He said in his resignation letter that he was “unable to provide the quality of service and dedication I have always given to my constituents.”

“Having dedicated representation has always been one of my top priorities, and I believe the people I serve deserve someone who can provide their full attention to this critical position,” he wrote.

Scott on Tuesday appointed Andy Julow, executive director of the Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corporation, to fill Mazza’s vacant Senate seat for the upcoming veto session.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.

When it comes to racing, Hannah Rowe favors much cooler temperatures than the sunny and warm climate of the 2024 Vermont City Marathon & Relay on Sunday morning.

Rowe is, after all, a Vermont native.

“I prefer snowy conditions,” Rowe said.

But after navigating the twice-looped, 26.2-mile course in Burlington, Rowe had no problems dealing with hotter weather. Her time and finish tell that story.

In her VCM debut for the marathon, the 2010 St. Johnsbury Academy graduate stormed to first place in the women’s open division, clipping the line at 2 hours, 46 minutes, 56 seconds. Rowe, 32, currently resides in Boston.

“It means a lot. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time,” Rowe said, who previously ran a two-person relay at VCM with her husband. “Vermont is always my homeland.”

When she did live in Vermont, Rowe was a star high school athlete at St. Johnsbury, located in the Northeast Kingdom. There, she was a four-time Gatorade runner of the year between cross-country running and track and field, and was on SJA’s first girls basketball state championship.

In 2017, Rowe was inducted into the Vermont Principals’ Association Hall of Fame. And last summer, Rowe was the top women’s finisher at the USATF national trail championships held in New Hampshire.

RESULTS: Click here later Sunday for full marathon and relay results

Sunday’s marathon reminded Rowe of her high school days. Stretches on the bike path brought back memories of racing at the Burlington Invitational.

“It was a really cool moment,” said Rowe, a 2014 Dartmouth College graduate.

To avoid overheating, Rowe said she executed a “conservative” race strategy. “I was definitely trying to not blow up and staying within myself,” she said.

“I knew it was going to be a PR day. That didn’t matter to me, it was just being here and being with the crowd.”

Kiplangat Terer, a Kenyan native who spends half the year in Amherst, Massachusetts, captured the men’s open division in 2:23:13. The 37-year-old said he’s won half-a-dozen marathons in his career.

Top Vermont woman overcomes heat, quick start

Joanna Fortier nearly went out too fast.

“I really wanted to push myself and I paid for it,” the 34-year-old from Richmond said.

But Fortier regrouped, motivated by family, friends and thousands of cheering spectators, to complete the 26.2-mile course and claim top prize as the first Vermont resident to finish Sunday’s marathon.

File coverage: Course record shattered at the 2023 Vermont City Marathon & Relay

Fortier completed her fourth marathon in 3:09:04.

“I had no idea,” Fortier said about being the top Vermont woman. “I would say it was very hot. I’ve never blown up so much in my life. But I wanted it. It was rough, but really the community is so special.

“Having everyone cheering you on and screaming — it’s the best feeling ever.”

Nick Orlando of South Burlington was the first Vermont man to finish on Sunday. Orlando toured the course in 2:36:53, which was good enough for 10th overall and just ahead of Ben Groleau of North Ferrisburgh by 16 seconds.

Handcyclist champion raves about Vermont City Marathon course

Devann Murphy has won the handycle division at the Boston, Chicago and New York City marathons. Nothing, though, compares to the nearby Vermont City Marathon for the native of Keeseville, New York.

“This one is home, it’s that home crowd. It’s the race that hugs you,” said Murphy, a cancer survivor.

Murphy praised the race — VCM handcyslists have competed in a half-marathon in each of the last two years for safety reasons with the double-looped course for marathoners — and the atmosphere in retaining her crown from 2023. Sunday, she recorded a performance of 57:33.

“It was a little toasty and few bumps here and there, but the crowds made up for that,” said Murphy, who has raced at VCM for the better part of a decade.

Erik Corbett also repeated on the men’s side for handcylists. The Conway, New Hampshire, resident finished in 57:16.

Contact Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.